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Lets Talk About It - Working Together To Prevent Terrorism



Prevent is about safeguarding and supporting people vulnerable to radicalisation. We have seen a significant decline in Prevent referrals since the Covid19 restrictions have been put in place.  This is primarily a result of schools and other statutory services such as social care and mental health provision being impacted, but it will also be partially down to the fact that most people’s attention has, understandably, been focussed on the pandemic.

Despite the reduction in referrals, we know that the threat is not going away. In fact, it is likely that the risk of radicalisation has increased for a small number of vulnerable people, as the pandemic is driving vulnerable individuals to spend more time online and is exacerbating grievances which make people more vulnerable to radicalisation.

With the removal of the safety net of schools, colleges etc, we need statutory partners, parents, friends and family to be aware of what young or vulnerable people in their care are looking at online - and most importantly what they can do to help.

Therefore, the Prevent Partnership in Manchester requests us all to:

1. Be cognisant of the increased risk of radicalisation amongst current Channel subjects; ensuring existing case management plans are updated or reflected appropriately to ensure vulnerability and risk is being managed effectively in this current climate

2. The following link is shared amongst all teams and departments within each of your service areas and any concerns be referred through your existing safeguarding channels https://www.ltai.info/

This includes information about:

  • What is Prevent
  • Spotting the Signs
  • Staying Safe Online 
  • Support 
  • Resources

For further information about Prevent / Channel in Manchester email prevent@manchester.gov.uk

To make a Prevent referral please use the Manchester National Referral form



COVID-19 – Radicalisation, digital safety and available support from the Office of Security and Counter Terrorism


COVID-19 restrictions are continuing to partially close schools, colleges and universities across the country, significantly limiting face-to-face contact between teachers and students. Additionally, many medical and care facilities are providing only remote or essential/urgent services, similarly affecting contact between medical professionals and patients. The education sector is responsible for more Prevent referrals than any other, and as such it is realistic to expect that the number of referrals into Prevent from some of the professional sectors subject to the Prevent Duty will reduce during this time.

However, the risk of radicalisation itself has not abated, with more time being spent online leading to the possibility of increased exposure to online terrorist content and influences as groomers look to exploit feelings of stress and isolation among vulnerable individuals. In the longer-term, the economic and social impact of COVID-19, such as job losses and financial hardship, could further weaken protective factors.

Government priorities to mitigate online radicalisation risk

To ensure that individuals vulnerable to radicalisation are given the safeguarding support that they need, priorities for the Government during this period include:

  • encouraging people to practice digital safety so that vulnerable individuals are less exposed to online harms
  • increasing awareness of the signs of radicalisation, enabling people to make informed choices
  • and signposting parents, carers, family and friends to Prevent, or other appropriate safeguarding services.

Online radicalisation and digital safety resource

Central to this is ensuring a consistent set of advice is offered across Government, the Prevent Network and with our external partners. As such, we have worked collaboratively to produce this information resource. This will form the basis of all of our subsequent communications around Prevent at this time, emphasising the role of safeguarding and embedding measures to protect against online radicalisation within the context of broader digital safety (such as CSE or fraud).


PREVENT – PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM BEING DRAWN INTO TERRORISM

The National Prevent Strategy is part of the Government’s counter terrorism strategy; CONTEST. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting extremism. It addresses all forms of terrorism but continues to prioritise according to the threat posed to national security. The Prevent strategy is focussed on delivering against three specific objectives:

  1. Challenging the ideology that supports terrorism and those who promote it;
  2. Protecting vulnerable individuals: to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support; and
  3. Supporting sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation.

Prevent in Manchester

Manchester is committed towards delivering the national Prevent objectives through a set of local Prevent priorities to support delivery:

  1. Embedding Prevent into the mainstream by supporting key services and institutions, delivering training and support to staff on Prevent and building capacity through our commissioning arrangements
  2. Safeguarding groups or individuals most vulnerable to radicalisation through our multi agency safeguarding arrangements
  3. Building long term resilience within communities to identify, understand and counter extremist ideologies in partnership with a range of institutions and our diverse communities

More information on

If you have concerns about an individual potentially being radicalised please ring 101 quoting Channel or the Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321. If it is an emergency please ring 999.


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